Angela Rayner cleared by HMRC over claims around ex-council house sale

Labour's Angela Rayner has been cleared by His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) after claims she failed to pay capital gains tax on the sale of her former home.

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Diane Abbott has Labour whip restored after investigation

Diane Abbott has had the Labour whip restored after an investigation into her conduct, Sky News understands.

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A Monster energy drink and bowling: On the election campaign trail with Sunak

After a bumpy start to the Tory election campaign, day six has been somewhat smoother for Rishi Sunak.

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Marginals, swings, coalitions and red walls - your essential guide to election lingo

The general election is underway - and it will no doubt be hard fought.

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Labour will be 'pro-worker and pro-business' - Reeves makes pitch to be next chancellor

Labour will be both "pro-worker and pro-business" if it wins the general election, Rachel Reeves will pledge on Tuesday.

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More than 120 business leaders back Labour 'to achieve UK's full economic potential'

More than 120 business leaders have written an open letter giving their backing to Labour in the general election.

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Pub that created 'Osama Bin Lager' has new controversial beer mocking 'orange' Trump

A pub that created the viral Osama Bin Lager has revealed the inspiration for its next beer - Donald Trump.

The owners of Coach & Horses in Billinghay, a pub in Lincolnshire, were inundated with requests for their product, after a photo of the beer went viral online.

The post, which uses the former al-Qaeda leader as its namesake, has been viewed several million times.

Within 24 hours, the pub’s supply had sold out, and camera crews even pulled up outside the building to get a look in on the action.

The brewery, owned by Luke Mitchell and his wife Catherine, also brews Kim Jong Ale and Putin Porter.

“We've woken up the last couple of mornings with thousands and thousands and thousands of notifications,” Luke said.

“It's been crazy,” Catherine added. “The phone just hasn't stopped for the last 48 hours.”

Now, the brewery is preparing for the launch of its next beer, with its inspiration being one of the candidates for the 2024 US Presidential Election.

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The beer, which is due to come out in just weeks, will be called The Orange Mussolini.

Its strapline is likely to provide even more chuckles: “A storm is brewing and this is one he can’t pay off!”, relating to his hush money trial with porn star Stormy Daniels.

Explaining his newest creation, Luke told The Daily Star: “We’re working in collaboration with Beartown Brewery on a gluten-free lager and we’re calling it The Orange Mussolini.

“The badge is a caricature of Donald Trump stood with a tank behind him, lots of soldiers – basically implying that he’s a modern day dictator, who America look like they may vote back in to become the world’s most powerful man.

“It’s certainly going to rattle a few cages, but myself and Beartown Brewery believe there is room in our line-up for him. We’re hoping to can or bottle it, and it’ll be ready on draught in the second week of June.”

Luke said that due to the pub’s close proximity to RAF Coningsby, he decided to seek military advice before going ahead with the project, who gave him the heads up and said they didn’t find it offensive.

The brewery donates £10 from each barrel of Osama Bin Lager to a charity that supports victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

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Leeds fans caught singing nasty Rishi Sunak chant before Southampton win Championship play-off final

A group of Leeds fans were filmed singing a derogatory chant about UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak ahead of the Championship play-off final which they lost 1-0 to Southampton.

Leeds and Southampton were facing off for promotion back to the Premier League after beating Norwich and West Brom respectively in the semi-finals.

Both teams were relegated from the top flight last season and looking to bounce back immediately, along with Leicester City.

Thousands of fans packed into Wembley for the richest game in English football with Leeds supporters travelling down from the north west.

And Sunak - a Southampton supporter - bore the brunt of the abuse ahead of the match as Leeds fans were filmed singing a vile chant about the Prime Minister.

They were heard chanting: "We are Leeds, we are vile, Rishi Sunak’s a paedophile.

"The clip drew plenty of attention online with some far from impressed with the Leeds supporters.

One wrote: "He may be many things but a paedophile? Noo... wrong on that definitely..."

Another simply said: "Strange chant."

A third posted: "Not a great look. All Saints today - they have more class."

Sunak was not at Wembley for Southampton's play-off final as he was on the campaign trail in London.

But the 44-year-old has been present at multiple Southampton games this season, including their victory over West Brom to reach the play-off final.

Adam Armstrong proved to be the hero on the day for Southampton as his goal was enough to earn the club promotion back to the Premier League.

Southampton manager Russell Martin cut an emotional figure at full time as he took in the moment.

"I feel really emotional and overwhelmed by the support I have had over the last nine or 10 months, especially in the tough times," he said.

"For them to give me the job in the first place, I felt like I had to do this to justify and validate it so I'm so pleased for them because it wasn't an exciting appointment for them.

"I finished 10th at Swansea and had a really clear way of doing things at MK [Dons], and now here.

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"So to take me on was really brave. The team have been so great and I'm really grateful and proud of them.

"It's not about me now, it's about them, I really believe that.

"They were trying to drag me up there [to lift the trophy] but they deserve it."

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Sunak's Number 10 is much better at keeping secrets than others

Suddenly, at election time, political predictions become so much harder and riskier. Everything changes in a campaign, not least the news cycle.

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The Week... We eat humble pie for missing the election announcement

Two of Westminster's best-connected journalists, Sky News's Sam Coates and Politico's Jack Blanchard, guide you through their top predictions for the next seven days in British politics.

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'It's David and Goliath': The Yorkshire residents fighting for tenants' rights

A few miles to the east of Rotherham lies Maltby. A former mining town in South Yorkshire, it's in the heart of Rother Valley - a constituency that, until 2019, always had a Labour MP.

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'We need a renewed social contract between the government and the people,' writes Daniel Kawczynski MP

As I am extremely well aware from my frequent conversations with my constituents, public discontent with political processes and economic realities is a well-documented phenomenon in the UK, even though their faith in British politics has not completely dissipated.

My response that follows explores the current disgruntlement, delving beyond surface-level frustrations to analyse underlying anxieties and propose solutions for improved political engagement.

Recent increases in corporation and personal taxes have undeniably impacted businesses and households, particularly small enterprises.

This has strained household budgets and dampened economic optimism (e.g., Institute for Fiscal Studies, 2024).

Rising interest rates and inflation pose significant challenges for the economy and individual budgets.

The government must find a balance between mitigating these effects and maintaining long-term fiscal stability.

While public service workers understandably advocate for increased resources for their respective sectors, responsible allocation necessitates a comprehensive public finance framework that prioritizes needs based on long-term national economic and social objectives, as evidenced in HM Treasury’s Spending Review 2024.

There appears to be a potential gap in public understanding of public finance complexities.

This can be addressed through improved government transparency initiatives alongside educational programs aimed at enhancing financial literacy.

The Thatcher government's emphasis on fiscal responsibility remains a relevant reference point.

In my view, highlighting past successes in balancing the budget should inspire confidence in the current administration's economic stewardship.

However, simply reminding the public of past achievements is insufficient. Clear and consistent communication that links fiscal responsibility to improved public services and long-term economic health is crucial.

Acknowledging the challenging fiscal state inherited from the previous administration can provide context for the current government's fiscal consolidation effort, but this narrative should not be overemphasized to avoid deflecting responsibility for current policy choices.

Our UN Security Council membership, overseas aid budget, and nuclear deterrence have financial implications.

The government can address concerns by demonstrating the cost-effectiveness of these commitments and highlighting their contribution to national security and global leadership, as mentioned in the Department for International Development’s 2024 Aid Impact Report.

The unprecedented economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated substantial borrowing.

The government's current focus on reducing the deficit acknowledges the need for fiscal consolidation while navigating ongoing economic challenges, and I believe that it should maintain that commitment.

While negative narratives about Brexit exist, the government can highlight positive outcomes such as new trade deals and membership in the CPTPP to demonstrate a proactive approach to fostering new economic partnerships.

The government's commitment to lower taxation as a means to stimulate economic growth and competitiveness aligns with some public sentiments. However, as the Institute for Fiscal Studies’ 2024 report on the impact of tax cuts attests, the long-term sustainability of such policies must be carefully considered alongside potential consequences for public services.

Continued efforts to improve communication and transparency can rebuild public trust and encourage a more constructive dialogue with the electorate. Our focus should be on explaining policy rationales within a broader economic and social context, moving beyond simplistic narratives.

Public discontent is, of course, not necessarily synonymous with apathy.

However, it highlights the need for a renewed social contract between the government and the people.

By fostering a more informed public discourse, demonstrating responsible economic stewardship, and prioritizing long-term national well-being, the government can rebuild trust and re-engage the electorate in the political process.

Elevated levels of national debt pose a significant challenge to long-term fiscal sustainability.

Debt servicing consumes resources that could otherwise be invested in public services or national resilience.

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This raises concerns about intergenerational equity, as future generations will bear the burden of current debt levels.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine conflict highlight the cyclical nature of economic crises.

Maintaining low debt levels allows governments to respond more effectively to future economic shocks by employing countercyclical fiscal policy.

The long-term economic impact of Brexit remains a subject of ongoing debate. While the government highlights new trade deals and membership in the CPTPP as positive outcomes, the potential for increased trade barriers and regulatory divergence with the EU requires ongoing evaluation: a 2024 report by the Centre for Economic Policy Research on the trade and economic consequences of Brexit stresses this point.

Attributing the decline of the EU's relative economic share solely to high regulation and taxation is, in my view, an oversimplification: a more nuanced analysis that considers factors like demographics and global economic trends is necessary.

Balancing the need for fiscal responsibility with the demands of responding to immediate crises and long-term economic uncertainties is a complex challenge.

While the government emphasizes positive Brexit outcomes and the importance of lower taxation, a more comprehensive approach that considers potential trade-offs and long-term economic impacts is crucial. That approach must lie within a framework that promotes long-term fiscal responsibility and fosters a more informed public discourse.

By enhancing communication and demonstrating a commitment to responsible economic stewardship, the government can rebuild trust and re-engage the electorate.

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Sunak says he will bring back National Service if Tories win election

Rishi Sunak has said he will introduce a new form of mandatory National Service for young people if the Conservatives win the general election.

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'If you are old enough to have a child, you are old enough to vote!' Debate gets heated over lowering voting age

A debate on GB News got very heated this evening as panellists discussed whether the voting age should be lowered to 16.

It has been reported that Jonathan Reynolds, Labour's Shadow Business Secretary, has said that if elected the party will "look into" lowering the voting age.

Professor of Politics at the University of Kent Matt Goodwin blasted the idea and said that young people are not "developed enough intellectually or emotionally."

Journalist Nina Myskow argued that if you are paying taxes at 16, you should be able to vote.

Speaking on GB News Goodwin said: "I don't think they're developed enough intellectually, emotionally, I don't think they are paying tax.

"I don't think they're in the conversation as much as others. I don't think they have enough responsibility to be making some of those decisions."

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Myskow argued: "What else can you do when you're 16? You talk about paying taxes, you can at 16 get a job. And therefore when you earn money, you pay taxes.

"I think if you pay taxes, you have an absolute right to know where your money in taxes is going to go and how it's going to be spent, the country that you live in is run."

She later added: "You're old enough to have a child, which is the biggest responsibility you can have. To bring another life into this world and to and to be a parent."

She explained: "It means that you engage from an early age with politics and you understand how how the how things work.

"And it does make you think. And even if you don't want to vote and you have to go along because otherwise you'll be fined, you can spoil your vote, not vote.

"That's absolutely up to you, but it means that you have to think about the system."

Goodwin blasted back: "I also think about myself at 16. I mean, did I really know enough about the world and have enough experience to cast a vote in a general election? No, I didn't really. Not at all."

GB News host Michelle Dewberry said: "I'm in complete disagreement with both of you.

"I think the job of a politician is to engage people. The job of politics is to be inspiring, engaging, and accessible, but also for people to follow through on what they actually promise that they are going to deliver.

"That's how you engage and inspire people. What you don't do is if the only way you can get a turnout or a decent sized turnout is to force people either by, I don't know, sanctions or taking money out of your pocket or whatever. You don't have engagement."

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Tory MP Caroline Nokes 'jokingly' confronted Wes Streeting over defection claims

Conservative MP Caroline Nokes "jokingly" confronted Labour's Wes Streeting over allegations he is behind rumours she has considered defecting to Sir Keir Starmer's party.

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Nigel Farage 'made a serious error' in not standing for election, claims Kelvin MacKenzie

Former editor of the Sun, Kelvin MacKenzie has said that Nigel Farage has made a "serious error," after the former Ukip leader announced he will not be standing in the upcoming election.

Putting out a statement on social media, Farage said he is "fully supportive of Richard Tice's leadership" but he said it is "not the right time" for him to go "any further than that".

Speaking about this on GB News Kelvin said:" I think he's made a serious error. I think it's a wrong decision.

"I thought that letter that he the PR handout that he gave out was a disgrace, frankly, because what he was saying was, the UK, little old UK is very nice but there is a bigger fish to fry. I'm off to the States."

WATCH THE CLIP ABOVE FOR MORE

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And they're off... what has the first day of the election campaign told us?

The political parties have been setting out their election campaigns, with voters going to the polls exactly six weeks from today.

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Nigel Farage to confirm election plans TOMORROW as Sunak braces for hammer blow

Nigel Farage has said that he will consider his election plans overnight.

Speaking on GB News earlier, the former Brexit Party leader said he has currently made "no commitment" either way.

It comes as Rishi Sunak called a general election for July 4 earlier today.

The GB News presenter said that the election could be "the end of the Conservative Party."

Farage told Tom Harwood: "Richard Tice has got [Reform] up and running and there are 500 candidates selected and he will get more.

"The whole plan for Reform was it was a six-year plan. Fight this election and get ready for when Labour fail."

"Starmer's first cabinet will not have the confidence that Tony Blair's first had by an absolute mile.

"As for what I do, I will think about it overnight...no commitment from me either way."

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He added: "The Prime Minister has chosen suicide over obliteration. They're going to lose whether they get 150 seats, or 186. I have no idea.

"They feared if they left it for six months. It could be 50 seats. It could be the end of the Conservative Party after 200 years as we know it."

The former UKIP leader said: "They deserve to lose the election. I hope they lose the election. I helped them in 2019 more than any other human being.

"The formation of the Brexit Party removed Theresa May and dropped the Tories down to nine per cent in the polls."

In the announcement outside parliament today, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: "This hard earned economic stability was only ever meant to be the beginning, the question now is how and who do you trust to turn that foundation into a secure future for you, your family, and our country?

“Now is the moment for Britain to choose its future, to decide whether we want to build on the progress we have made or risk going back to square one with no plan and no certainty. Earlier today I spoke with His Majesty the King to request the dissolution of Parliament."

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said: "Tonight the Prime Minister has finally announced the next General Election. A moment the country needs – and has been waiting for. And where, by the force of our democracy, power returns to you.

"A chance to change for the better. Your future. Your community. Your country. It will feel like a long campaign – I’m sure of that – but no matter what else is said and done, that opportunity for change is what this election is about."

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